49ers refusal to accept status quo a huge part of their success

Left offensive tackle Joe Staley says a large part of the 49ers success this season owes to coach Jim Harbaugh refusing to stand pat and settle for a certain standard.

The 49ers are no different than Google, IBM and other companies, Staley adds, in that status quo allows the competition to catch and surpass you before long.

“You have to be able to push the envelope. … You always have to try to be innovative and try to be creative, not just do something that has been done 20 years in a row,” Staley said. “You got to always try to push the envelope and be creative. I don’t think the NFL is any different.”

Staley was referring, in particular, to Harbaugh’s controversial decision to switch from quarterback Alex Smith to second-year player Colin Kaepernick at midseason, when the 49ers were 6-2 and in first place in the NFC West.

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Then there’s the matter of Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman implementing the read-option under Kaepernick’s masterful guidance.

“We’re getting very creative with the ways we’re structuring our offense, and Colin is a big reason why we’re able to do that,” Staley said. His skill set, he’s not a passing quarterback that can run a little bit; he’s not a running quarterback that can pass a little bit. He’s equally good at both.

“That creates a little bit of hesitation in defenses on how to try to attack that. It slows down the pass rush a little bit. That extra split second of hesitation really creates an advantage for the offense. That’s one of the reasons that we’re having success is because we’re getting creative.”

Kaepernick wouldn’t succeed at the level he has so far on talent alone. It’s his work ethic that sets him apart from many other talented players, in Staley’s estimation.

Staley and others admired the way Kaepernick practiced and approached his job long before Kaepernick replaced Smith. Seeing Kaepernick perform as the leader of the offense deepened that appreciation.

“One of the things that I’ve been pleasantly surprised with is his preparation,” Staley said. “Coming in, you don’t really know he’s going to handle the whole entire workload of being a starting quarterback. And he’s handled that with ease.

“He’s really prepared very, very well. He makes sure that everybody is lined up correctly and everybody is seeing the same things he is. He’s a vocal guy and he’s done really well in meetings for us as far as communicating and keeping guys accountable.”